It’s not often we get a school teacher or principal on the show but there are things we might have learned back in the day perhaps we’ve forgotten or can still learn and add our skills repertoire.

Our guest, Jock D. Mackenzie has those credentials and more with 30 years in the field mostly teaching Language Arts to Middle School and Upper Elementary, now semi-retired, he takes those skills on the road. Jock is a published author having written the book, Essay Writing: Teaching the Basics from the Ground Up (2007). He’s also a Toastmaster with the Sunrise Club in Red Deer, Alberta Canada. MORE ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

[27:41] In this episode we speak with Glenda Sheard, DTM, Social Media Manager for District 99. While not an official Toastmasters position, her role is a critical component in attracting new members and engaging existing ones as this medium has gained widespread use. Glenda, a newly minted DTM enthusiastically shares how Social Media impacts districts and clubs and all Toastmasters, enlightening us on the importance of her role and how it works; how Districts can benefit from having a Social Media Manager and using Social Media along with some tips, tricks and examples how D99 uses these resources and how others can use them too.

Glenda Sheard DTM is a speaker, facilitator, presenter and fundraiser and lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

[27:44] Greg speaks with Lance Miller 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking as he shares his insights about Cam Newton’s defeated attitude during a post Super Bowl 50 media interview. Lance reflects on lessons learned, dealing with defeat and adversity taking a page from his own life both in business and journey to the World Championship.

Had a great opportunity to be a guest on Steve Dotto’s recently introduced Hangouts. What’s also cool i that this was actually the first Google Hangout I’ve participated in. I guess resistance was futile. Seriously, this was simply just the first time.

Also joining the Hangout are Bosco Anthony, Gillian Shaw and Fraser Morrison.

We’re talking about Facebook being sued and Apple WWDC 14 amongst other things. Watch and and enjoy.

If you prefer or if you’re on the road, then you can listen to the podcast:

EDMONTON, AB, Dec 22, 2013/ Troy Media/ – Have you ever found yourself in a meeting, presenting to a client or been on the phone when all of a sudden you’re lost for words or not sure what to say?

We fear silence as being unnatural. Our natural tendency is to avoid dead air or empty space at all costs, so we fill it with crutch words, like “ah”, “um” and “err”. We’ll sometimes repeat words like “Iike-Iike-like”, and “and-and-and’ as we nervously grasp for the next thing to say. Sound familiar?

Got butterflies? Then focus on the information you want to convey rather than on yourself

EDMONTON, AB, Aug 27, 2013/ Troy Media/ – Speaking to employees, vendors, customers or even the general public is not easy. In fact, public speaking can cause havoc to our systems.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said. “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two . . . this means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

Scary, isn’t it? When speaking publicly, we lack confidence; we feel our stomachs churning, chests thumping and hearts fluttering like it’s the end of the world.

Although there are many remedies for curing the butterfly jitters, one stands out above the rest: “Focus on the message and not the medium”.

EDMONTON, AB, Aug 3, 2013/ Troy Media/ – Do you use only one club to play golf? When leaving the house to head out to the course, do you wear the same coat whether it’s hot, cold, raining or sunny outside?

Probably not, so why is it that, despite no two people being alike, many businesses only seem to have one single sales pitch?

EDMONTON, AB, Jul 12, 2013/ Troy Media/ – “Your call is important. Please stay on the line and someone will be with you shortly.” After hearing that for the 27th time, it starts to become annoying, doesn’t it? If you’re like me, you probably dream hearing it in your sleep.

It might even become your worst nightmare.

Repetition can be monotonous – like having to make it through summer reruns on TV or listening to verbal filler such as “Like I said,” or “Did I tell you this already?” which occurs when not having enough to say or simply stumbling over your words. And when it happens in conversation or during a presentation, it can detract from getting your point across. However, when used effectively, repeating what you have to say can actually enhance your message.